Continuous variable temperature power producing apparatus



M. S. QUINTE Sept. '24, 1 940.

CONTI NUOUS VARIABLE TEMPERATURE POWER PRODUCING APPARATUS 3 Sheet-Sheet1 Filed June 22, 193'? whoa-z J/zz V670 6745 CZWMBER 1 N VENT OR. weQw/vz.

ATTORNE Sept. 24, 1940.

M. s. QUIINTE CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TEMPERATURE POWER PRODUCING APPARATUSFiled June 22, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 45 CHAMBER i I [M0702 l lINVENTOR.

way/751w); new Qmvzs M. s. QUINTE 2,215,652

CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TEMPERATURE POWER PRODUCING APPARATUS Sept. 24,1940.

KSheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 22, 1937 INVENTOR.

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Patented Sept. 24, 1940 UNITED STATE CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TEMPERATUREPOWER, PRODUCING APPARATUS 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a device capable of delivering powercontinuously providing the medium surrounding the prime mover does notremain at a constant temperature for long intervals of time. An ideallocation for such an apparatus is indesert or semi-desert localities inthe warm latitudes of the earths surface and, in particular thesouthwestern part of the United States where relatively high day and lownight temperatures are the usual order of things, but the use of thisinvention is not limited to any particular place or locality.

Applicant utilizes the well known Law of Charles as the basis for energyto operate his apparatus. It is not necessary, however, that applicantsair chamber structure be designed to withstand exceedingly high internalor external pressures for his invention includes means to automaticallyrelieve the structure of excessive pressures within and without.

During the rise and fall of temperature without the air chamber,pressure difierentials of the air within create energy. Mechanism isprovided to store this energy from which, a continual predeterminedamount of power can be utilized.

An object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus and methodto produce continuous power by the expansion and contraction of a gas,for instance, air.

Another object is to provide power from a varying volume of gasinfluenced by temperature changes. I

Another object is to take advantage of heated air wherein the moleculesthereof are in a high state of agitation and to utilize such molecularkinetic energy for producing power.

In this connection, it will be understood that the higher thetemperature of the air or gas will result in greatly increased activityand expansion of the molecules thereof, and this increased activity andexpansion produces. materially increased pressure when the air or gas isconfined in a container, and this increased pressure is, by suitablemeans, converted into power.

Another object is to build up a continuous power reserve from aninexhaustible source of varying temperatures.

Another object is the storage of energy from a continual source ofsupply, power being drawn therefrom at a continual predetermined rate.

Another object is to create a perpetual supply of mechanical energy fromfluid energy created by varying degrees of temperature acting upon thefluid.

And a still further object is the transference of fluid energy intomechanical energy, the fluid energy being the result of temperaturedifierentials acting upon the fluid.

Other objects will become apparent from the reading of the followingspecification and ap- 5v pended claims.

The following description and drawings disclose means and methodswhereby applicants invention can be practiced but, it is understood,that many other means andmethods may be re- 19 sorted to within thescope of applicants invention and that the specific disclosure herein isnot .to be taken in a limiting sense except as limited by the appendedclaims.

In the drawings: v I ll;

Figure 1 shows one form of the invention in elevation, partsbeing shownin sectionfor clarity.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through the housing that enclosesthe motor.

Figure 3 shows a detail substantially along the 20 line 3-3 of Figure lin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3a is a detail of a sprocket wheelwith ratchet elements and whichview is taken on the line 3d-3d of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows another form of the invention in elevation, parts beingshown in section.

Figure 5 is a plan, partly in section, along the line 5--5 of Figure l.

Figure 6 is an elevation, partly in section, showing an alternative formof theinvention, which may be utilized in conjunction with the aboveforms.

Figure 7 is an elevation, mostly in section,

showing. still another form of the invention to operate-a motor notshown.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View showing a further modified form ofthe invention.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 will now be described:

The numeral l designates a reservoir contain- $0 consideration will begiven to the size of the equipment described.

A portion of the tank I protrudes downwardly in the form of an opencylinder 2 into an open top receptacle 3 of suitable material forholding a liquid which may be water, oil or any other liquid capable ofperforming the purposes of this invention.

A duct 4 having a hand valve 5 connects the bottom of receptacle 3 withan open top receptacle 6, preferably metal, for transference of theliquid to and from the receptacles 3 and B. A float l, of predeterminedweight and size is free to slide vertically along a guide rod 8 which issecurely fixed to the bottom of receptacle 6 as by the flanged coupling9 and the rivets or bolts II). the guide being threaded into thecoupling-for easy removal.

The float l is loaded by any suitable material 8 to give it sufficientgravity to overcome friction of associated parts therewith and for otherpurposes to be presently explained, so that it will fall as the level ofliquid in the receptacle 6. A counter weight 9a of predetermined mass,(Figure 3) is connected to the float by a chain In which rides oversprocket wheels I! and I2. The sprocket wheel I2 is fixed to a shaftwhich is journalled in a bracket I2 whereas the sprocket wheel II is anidler having its bearing upon an axle stud extending from a bracket IIattached to the casing of the spring motor.

straddled chain I3 connects the chain In and float,- eyelets I4 beingprovided to afford a balancing connection of the chain with the float.Obviously, a metallic cable or other means may be employed instead ofchain, pulleys being pro- ;vided when cable is used.

A strong and well braced inverted L-shaped bracket I5, securely fixed toa base I6 which may be concrete or any other proper support, provides ameans of support for a spring motor H. A spider I8, fixed to the bracketby the bolts I9, holds the spring motor in a definite position withrespect to the receptacle 6 and transmission parts to presently bedescribed.

A strong metallic housing or casing 23 is secured to spider I8 andenvelopes the motor to protect it from atmospheric elements and frompossible accidental injury.

The spring motor that is utilized for converting the movement of thefloat into power and for actuating a valve that controls the admissionand discharge of air or gas from tank I includes a strong spiral spring24, the inner end of which is fixed to a shaft 25 and the outer end to ahousing 26.

The lower end of shaft 25 is arranged for rotation in the lower portionof the housing 25 and, suitably secured to the bottom of the housing 25below the bearing for the lower end of shaft 25 is a stub shaft 21carrying at its lower end a beveled pinion 28. Mounted on shaft 25 abovehousing 26 is a ratchet wheel 29\ that is engaged by the point of aspring-pressed detent 30, the latter being pivoted at 3I to a bracketthat projects inwardly from the adjacent wall of the spring motorhousing I'I. Secured on the upper end of shaft 25 is a gear wheel 30that meshes with a pinion 30a carried by the lower end of a shaft 32,

e the latter being journalled in a suitable bearing in the top of the 3spring motor housing I'I. Mounted on shaft 32 is a sprocket wheel 34and, passing around this sprocket wheel is a sprocket chain 36 thatextends through an opening in the side wall of housing I! and, saidsprocket chain passes around a sprocket wheel 31 that is fixed to thestem of a ball type gas valve 38, which latter is seated in the wall oftank I and controls the inlet of air or gas into said tank and theoutlet of air or gas from said tank (see Fig. 1).

The construction of the motor just described is such that sprocket chain36 operates continuously in the same direction and the operation of saidchain is comparatively slow, so that the valve will be intermittentlyopened and closed.

For the purpose of delivering power from the apparatus, the shaft 32 isextended above the top of the housing I! and has mounted thereon apulley 39 around which passes a belt or endless cable for transmissionof the power to some device to be operated or, for the operation of anelectric power generator. However, the power developed is of no momentin this application, for it is well within applicants contemplation thatsubstitutes may be used in the place of the pulley 39 and meansconnected to shaft 32 for direct operation with any suitable device.

Further, no claim is made to the particular form of spring motor hereinillustrated and described, for various mechanisms may be produced forconverting the movement of the float 8 in tank 6 into motion and powerand causing the valve 38 to intermittently open and close and also tooperate a power generatonfor instance, an electric generator.

Beveled pinion 28 meshes with a beveled pinion 40 fixed on a shaft 4|that is journalled in a bracket 41a, the latter being secured to thelower portion of housing I'I. Shaft 4I carries a pinion 42 that mesheswith a smaller pinion 43, the latter being carried by a shaft 44 that isjournalled in bracket 4Ia,-I2' and, secured to said pinion 43'is aratchet wheel 45.

The extended end of shaft 44 provides an axis upon which the sprocketwheel I2 rotates freely posed to the atmospheric air of the coastalplains I in the southwestern part of the United States. It is morningand the atmosphere is gradually warming the air in the tank. Heat isabsorbed by this air which increases the kinetic energy of its moleculesand results in expansion of the 1 entire body of gas. Since the gas intank I is confined because of the water seal in cylinder 3, its pressurewill rise. It is well known that gases and liquids exert their pressuresequally in all directions except for the additional pressure in lowerregions due to their respective densities. Charles law states that thepressure coefficient of all gases is substantially the same k =1/273 at0 0., per degree change in temperature. According to this law, 0.0538pound per square inch pressure would be available by raising the airatatmospheric pressure in tank I just one degree C. Since dailytemperature fluctuations along the southwestern coastal areas vary from30 to 60 F., especially if the tank is placed where the sun can strikeit a part of the day, a substantial pressure differential may beexpected. By actual demonstration of a model, sufficient pressure hasbeen generated to overcome all friction of mechanical parts withadditional pressure for continuous power to do useful work.

Such a gas pressure in the tank I will cause the level of liquid in thecylinder 2 to fall with a rise in liquid level in the receptacles 3 and6. The

liquid level in 3 and B will depend upon the liquid surface areas of thereceptacles 3 and 6 with respect to the liquid area in the cylinder 2.Nevertheless, the float will rise and the counter weight 9a fall,turning the sprocket wheel I2 counterclockwise as shown in Figure 3a andwind or tighten the spring 24 through the various cooperating partsincluding ratchet wheel 45, pinions 43 and 42, beveled pinions 40 and28, a housing 26 to which the outer end of spring 24 is secured, thuswinding said spring about shaft 25, the other ratchet wheel assembly29303I during this spring winding operation merely slipping. Ratchetwheel assembly 293ll-3 I operates to deliver energy to the shaft 32 whenthe spring is unwinding or loosening.

The purpose of the small sprocket wheel 34, is to continually but slowlyturn the valve stem of valve 38 so as to open and close it atpredetermined intervals of time to permit ingress or egress of air toand from the tank I. The mechanism just described brings about a numberof periodic actions that equalize the pressure of the air within thetank and the atmospheric air as distinguished from a singlecomparatively long equalization of the air in the'tank and theatmospheric air, and which periodic short intervals have been found moreeffective in the development of motion and power as a result of theoperation of the apparatus. The port in the rotating plug of valve 38and the ports in the valve housing are relatively disposed so that thevalve is open for only a short period of the time required for acomplete rotation of the plug; for instance, in an apparatus that I havebuilt and repeatedly operated the valve 38 is constructed so that itmakes one complete revolution every three hours and the opening periodof said valve is less than three minutes. Thus as long as valve 5 induct 4 is open and the apparatus is in opera tion, there is anunbalanced condition of the functions produced by the tanks I, 2 and 3,and tank 6 and its float 1, and as a result there is always a certainamount of power stored in spring 24. This valve feature also preventsexcessive high pressure and partial vacuum conditions in the air tank I.

When the water rises in cylinder 2, above normal level, air will becompressed in tank I, and when the water in cylinder 2 lowers so thatits surface is below normal, a partial degree of vacuum will beestablished in tank I Thus the periodic opening of valve- 38 preventsexcessive high pressures and partial vacuum conditions in the tank I.

The apparatus shown in Figures 4 and 5 is another embodiment ofapplicants invention which operates on the same principle as the form ofFigure 1. In this embodiment, advantage is taken of the rise and fall oftwo bodies of liquid.

The numeral 59 indicates the air tank which also. has a depending openended cylinder indi cated by BI. An open top receptacle 62 surrounds thecylinder and is spaced from the bottom and sides thereof to form aliquid circulating space. A guide rod 63 fixed to the bottom of thereceptacle provides a sliding surface for a weighted float 64. A cable65, fixed to the float in a straddling manner as described for Figure 1,rides over pulleys 6'6, 6?, 68 and 69, as shown, and a larger pulley 70fixed to a shaft II which transmits energy derived from pulley I0 into atransmission and motor assembly I2 similar to that described for Figurel. A counter weight 13 at the end of cable 65 keeps it taut andefiicientin operation.

indicated at 11 which slips vertically along a guide I8 fastened to thebottom of the receptacle by a flange element I9. The level of the liquidin this receptacle is fluctuated like theliquid in cylinder 62 due tothe variable gas pressure in air tank 60. -Weighted float 11 will alsofluctuate and operate a counter-weighted chain or cable which passesaround pulleys or sprocket wheels and, by transmission means 8I, likethat already described with reference to Figure 1, store energy in thespring motor 82, a duplicate of motor I1 shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows an alternative form of air tank 99 that may besubstitutedfor the air tank I of Figure 1. Tank has a depending open topportion 9I partially filled with a desirable liquid; the pipe 92 leadingfrom the bottom thereof may be connected to the pipe 4 of the form shownin Figure 1 in order to operate the float and connected mechanism ofthat form of the invention. The air tank 90 of Figure 6 may be partiallyinsulated by any suitable kind of material such as tar covered cork 93,to conserve artificial heat. A pipe coil 94 containing an electricresistance 95 connected to a source of electricity supplies heat totheconfined gas in the tank whenever such a need should arise. The pipecoil 94 is supported in recesses 96 of a heat insulator 91 such asporcelain or other suitable material. The tank 9| conductor of heat sothat the sun rays or the temperature of the medium in which the tank isplaced will be very elfective in generating molecular activity of thegas and liquid within the tank.

Artificial heat may be necessary in a device of this kind in someclimates where days are occasionally encountered which vary little intemperature. Such conditions are rare or never occur in many parts ofsouthwestern United States. Since applicant does not wish to limit theusefulness of his invention to ideal locations for its successful andefficient operation, provision is made to cope with unfavorable climaticconditions.

Electric wires 98 and 99 from a suitable source of either direct oralternating electric 1 current lead to the resistance coils 95 throughswitching equipment. Wire 99 leads through a single pole hand switch I00and wire 98 through a rotary commutator-like switch III I.

The rotary switch IIlI consists of a disk I92 of good conductingmaterial such as high grade 'copper with copper or brass bars I03 andI94 on diametric opposite sides of the disk. These" bars may be integralwith the disk I02 or afiixed thereto in any suitable manner to form agood conducting path with the disk. Suitable insulating material I95,hard rubber or equivalent substance, fiush with the outer surfaces ofthe bars provide non-conducting roller surface about the disk. Rollersof good electrical conducting material I96 and III! are provided oneither side of the disk Wheel I02 to close and open the circuit however,is preferably metal and a good at predetermined time intervals to causevary- 75 I pulleys I58,

ing air pressure conditions in the'tank 90 due to alternation of theheat from the coils 95. Arms I58 pivoted to brackets I09 support therollers, springs III? urging the rollers in continual contact with thedisk wheel.

A spring motor III with associated transmission means as shown in Figure1, receives its energyfrom a float receptacle like the one 16 shown inFigure 1. A pulley H2 receiving continual energy from a shaft within thespring motor, delivers power to a pulley II l, fixed to the disk I532,by means of an endless cable I I3.

Rotary switch IGI may be arranged to operate or close the circuit in anydesired time intervals; for instance, every 15 minutes, every half-houror every hour.

To relieve the tank 99 of excessive pressure or vacuum conditions or,cause sudden variations of the gas pressure within the tank, a handvalve H5 is provided. This valve may be opened at any time by theoperator when such action is thought best to assure continued operationof the device.

Figure 7 shows another form of the invention. The tank H6 confines abody of gas and has connected therewith a pipe II'I which transfers thepressure to a U-shaped tank IIB. This U- shaped tank is partially filledwith water or other liquid, the pipe I ll extending down into the liquida suflicient distance to always have its opening immerged in the liquid.A weighted float I20 in one leg of the U-tank has a bore through itscenter to: surround the pipe II! and use the pipe as a guide. A cableI2I is fixed to the float and passes over'a pulley I22. A counterweightI23 of predetermined mass cooperates with the float as previouslyexplained for the other forms of the invention. The other leg of theU-tank has a weighted float indicated at I24 of a different design. Thisfloat I25 may be weighted in any suitable manner, but preferably with aliquid that has considerably greater weight than water.

When the air or gas in tank H5 expands underrising temperature, the.liquid contained in the leg of tube I N that extends downwardly into theU-shaped tank H8 is expelled into said tank thereby raising both floatsI20 and I24 so as to rotate pulleys I22 and I2'I, thus producing rotarymotion that may be converted into stored power by suitable means, forinstance a spring motor as illustrated in Fig. 2.

When the air or gas in tank IIB contracts under lowering temperatures,liquid will rise in the vertical leg of tube I I1, thus permitting thefloats to lower with the level of the water in tank I I8, and thismotion may be converted into power. A counterweight I25, cable I26 andpulley I21 also being provided for the float I24. Through mechanism I28and I29, this device operates a spring motor of the type alreadydescribed.

Figure 8 is still another form of my power and motion producingapparatus. A metal container I53 contains a liquid such as water, oil,etc., and has a cover I54 through which passes an open ended tube I55.In this tube a float I56 rides upon the liquid and reciprocates a cableI5! over one end of the cable having the usual counterweight I59. One ofthe pulleys I58 being attached to a transmission means for instance asprocket chain operating over a sprocket wheel as illustrated in Fig. 3ato transfer energy from the pulley to a spring motor such as isillustrated in Fig. 2.

- The various forms-pi apparatusherein disclosed operate upon the wellknown barometric principle whereby barometer changes of the earthsatmosphere changes the liquid level which in turn reciprocates thefloat. The float by means of cables transmits the power to a springmotor.

My invention involves the principles of contraction and expansion of themolecules of air or gas pressing on liquids as a result of atmosphericchanges, either natural or artificial, and the conversion of suchpressure into useful power and motion. When the chamber within tank I isempty of air it is negative and when said chamber is filled or partiallyfilled with air it becomes positive, such changes taking placealternately so that the positive and negative conditions are reversed.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided simple and efiicient means anda method for producing continuous motion and power as a result of theexpansion and contraction of air or other gas, as a result of varyingtemperatures.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form andconstruction of the various parts of my improved variable temperaturepower producing apparatus may be made and substituted for those hereinshown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention,the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A power producing device, including an open topped container forholding liquid, a gas receptacle having a neck portion with an openlower end extending into said container so that changes of gas pressurewill change the level of the liquid in its container, a second liquidcontainer, connections between the two liquid containers, a float insaid second mentioned liquid container, a spring motor, means connectingsaid float with said motor to transmit motion and power thereto andmeans actuated by said motor for delivering power therefrom.

2. A power producing device as set forth in claim 1 and with means forperiodically establishing communication between the confined body of gasand the atmosphere for eflecting pressure equalization.

3. A power producing device, including a plurality of open toppedcontainers for holding liquid, means connecting said containers so as toequalize the levels of the liquid therein, a gas receptacle having aneck portion with an open bottom extending into the liquid of one container so that changes in gas pressure will change the liquid level inall of the containers, a float in one of said liquid containers, aspring motor, means actuated by the movement of said float fortransmitting motion and power to said spring motor and means actuated bysaid motor for delivering power therefrom.

4. In a variable temperature power producing apparatus, a gas tank openat its lower end, a liquid receptacle surrounding the open lower end ofsaid gas tank, a second liquid receptacle, a connection between the twoliquid receptacles, means for controlling the flow of liquid from onereceptacle to the other, a float in the second mentioned receptacle andmeans connected to and actuated by said float for converting the motionthereof into motion and energy.

5. In a variable temperature power producing apparatus, a gas tank openat its lower end, a liquid receptacle surrounding the open lower end ofsaid gas tank, a second liquid receptacle,

a connection between the two liquid receptacles, means for controllingthe flow of liquid from one receptacle to the other, a float in thesecond mentioned receptacle, means connected to and actuated by saidfloat for converting the motion thereof into motion and energy and meansfor periodically establishing communication between the interior of thegas-containing tanktand atmosphere.

6. A power producing device as set forth in claim 3, with means forcontrolling the flow of liquid through the means connectingsaidcontainers and means actuated by said motor for periodicallyestablishing communication between the confined body of gas within saidreceptacle and the atmosphere for effecting pressure equalization.

'7. In a power producing device, a substantially U-shaped member forholding liquid, a gas receptacle having an opening that is located inone of the vertical'legs of said liquid holding member below the normallevel of the liquid therein,

a float within the other vertical leg of the liquid holding member, aspring motor, means connecting said float with said motor fortransmitting motion and power thereto and means actuated by said motorfor delivering power therefrom.

8. A power producing device as set forth in claim '7, with means forperiodically establishing communication between the body of gas confinedwithin said receptacle and the atmosphere for efiecting pressureequalization.

MICHAEL SALVADOR QUIN'I'E.

